Gang-boring machine



o FQCARPENTER GANG BORING MACHINE Fi1 ed Jue 50, 1956 Feb. 9, 1937.

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 iHl Ih o. F. CARPENTER 2,070,466

GANG BORING MACHINE Feb. 9, 1 937.

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Patented Feb. 9, 1937 STTES ATENT CFFICE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to a gang-boring machine designed primarily for boring in slats, rails or stles, -a single recess or a plurality of aligned recesses for receiving the ends of rods or doWls 5 used in the construction of poultry coups, cribs, grilles or the like, but it is to be understood that the machine, in accordance with this invention is to be' employed in any connection for which it may be found applicable.

l One of the objects of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine of the class referred to including spring controlled, slidably suspended, bodily shiftable work-feeder structures and work truing devices l arranged in the path of the Work carried by the feeder structures when the Work is moved in the direction to be acted upon.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine '20 of the class referred to with a pair of spring controlled, slidably suspended, bodily shiftable workfeeder structures and completed Work dischargers arranged in the path of the Work carried by said structures, when these latter move in a 25 direction to have the work acted upon, whereby the prior completed Work is discharged from said structures.

A furtherl object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine 30 of the class referred to including a pair of spring controlled, slidably suspended, bodily shiftable work-feeder structures and resilient retainers for and arranged in the path of the work carried by said structures when these latter are shifted 35 in a direction to position the Work to be acted upon.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine of the class referred to including bodily adjust- 40 able resilient Work retainers when the upstanding work is being acted upon and bodily adjustable upstanding work dischargers for the completed work.

Further objects of the invention are to provide,

45 in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a gangboring machine which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, adjustable, intermittently operating on the work at spaced points, thoroughly eflicient in its use, ex-

50 peditious in its action, readily assembled, conveniently repaired when occasion requires, automatically discharging the completed Work, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in View,

55 the invention consists of the novel construction,

combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and are as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and 5 modifications may be resorted to which fall Within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Figure 1 is an elevation looking towards one side of the machine and further illustrating the work to be acted upon in dotted lines,

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the machine, broken away and further illustrating the work in full lines to be acted upon,

Figure 3 is an elevation looking towards one 15 end of the machine,

Figure 4 is a section on line 4 4, Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a sectional detail illustrating the driving pulleys for the operating means for the boring tools,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary View in perspective of one end of a work-feeder structure illustrating the Work guide and holder,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary View in side elevation illustrating the position of several elements of the machine prior to the discharge of a completed piece of work,

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 illustrating a work discharger in position to discharge a completed piece of work as the work-feeder structure is moved in a direction towards the boring tools of one set,

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view in sectional plan of a work-feeder structure relative to a truing device, a retainer, and a completed work discharger,

Figure 10 is a fragmentary View in end elevation illustrating the position of non-completed work and completed work relative to a work retainer, a work truing device and a completed Work discharger,

Figure l1 is a lengthwise sectional view of a work truing device,

Figure 12 is a top plan View of a work truing device,

Figure 13 is a detailed section illustrating a holder of the work-feeder structure with a holder arranged in relation `to a piece of non-completed worlf; and a piece of completed work,

Figure 14 is a perspective View of a piece of completed work,

Figure 15 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of the machine illustrating a modified form of work-truing device, and

Figure 16 is a side elevation of the form of truing device shown in Figure 15.

Referring to the drawings, the machine includes a supporting frame formed of a pair of inverted yoke-shaped members I, 2, each of which includes a front leg 3, a rear leg 5 and a top 5. Said legs 3 and l are of angle-shaped sectional plan. The top 5 is oi angle shape in vertical section. The legs 3, i have their upper ends and the ends of the top 5 mitered together. The legs 3, i intermediate their ends -are connected together by a combined brace and support 5 which is of angle contour in vertical section. Mounted on the member 5 is a bearing l.

The frame includes a pair of inverted channel irons 8 and 5 which are' arranged in parallel, spaced relation and extend from-the top 5 of member I to the top 5 of member 2. rThe channel irons are xedly secured to the members i, 2. The inner side of the channel iron 8 is indicated at i5 and that of the channel iron 5 at Il.

Mounted upon the channel irons 8, 9 are means to provide a pair of gear boxes i2, I3 and the said boxes have their ends spaced inwardly from the ends of the channel ironsV 3, 9.

The box I2 includes a pair of spaced parallel side walls Iii, I5, spacing strips l5, il seated upon the top of the walls ill, I5 respectively and a cover I8 mounted on the strips I5, I'l. The walls lli, I5 are of greater thickness, height and width than the strips I3, Il. The walls I4, i5 have spaced aligned openings constituting bearings. The said openings are not shown but are transversely disposed with respect to said walls.

The gear box i3 includes a pair of spaced parallel side walls i5, 2Q, spacing strips 2i, 22 seated upon the top of the walls I9, 2B respectively and a cover 23 mounted on the strips 2i, 22. The walls I9, 25 are of greater thickness, height and width than the strips ZI, 22. The walls i9, 25

'- have spaced aligned openings constituting bearings. The said openings are not shown but are transversely disposed with respect to the said walls. The openings in the walls i9, 2E] align with the openings in the walls I5, l5. The bottom of the box I2 is provided by channel iron 8. The bottom of the box I3 is provided by channel iron 9. The walls of the said boxes are suitably secured to the channel irons. The strips are suitably secured to the walls. The covers are loosely mounted on the strips.

leading from a suitable source of power.

In connection with the machine there are illustrated six drive spindles 2li, but this number may be increased if desired. The spindles 2li carry pulleys 25 operated from a drive belt 25 The pulleys 25 are arranged between and spaced from the boxes i2, I3. The spindles 25 extend through aligned openings in the walls Ill, I5, IQ, 2li and carry at one end a tool chuck 2l and vat the other end a tool chuck 28. Mounted in the other openings in the walls I3, 2G and extending through the other openings in the walls I5, i9 are drive spindles provided o-n their outer ends with tool chucks. The arrangement is clearly shown with respect to the box I2. The spindles which are journaled in one wall of a gear box and project from the other wall of a gear box are of less length than the spindles 24. The short spindles are indicated at 29 and the tool chucks on the short spindles which are journaled in the walls of the box i2 are indicated at 35. The tool chucks on the short spindles which are journaled in the walls of the box I3 are indicated at SI. Each spindle 25 is provided with a wide gear. The

gears are arranged within the boxes I2, I3. Each short spindle 29 is provided with a narrow gear. The short spindles are arranged in pairs. The narrow gears of a pair of short spindles mesh with the end portions of a wide gear carried by a spindle 25. The wide and narrow gears in each gear box provide chains of gears as is illustrated with respect to gear box I2. The wide gears on the spindles 25 are indicated at 32 and the short gears on the spindles 29 at 53. Mounted in the tool chucks which extend from the wall 2li of box I3 are boring tools 35. Mounted in the tool chucks which extend from the wall I 4 of box I2 are the boring tools 3d.

The walls It, I5, I9, 20 of the gear boxes are formed with lubricant ports 36 which lead to the openings therein. The ports 36 are illustrated with respect to the walls Ill, I5 of gear box I2.

The machine includes a pair of spring controlled, slidably suspended, bodily shiftable workfeeder structures. One is arranged in the front and the other at the rear of the machine. Each feeder structure alternately moves in opposite directions, but the movement of one feeder structure is alternate with respect to that of the other. Both feeder structures are of the same construction and the description of one will apply to the other. The work-feeder structure at the front of the machine is indicated generally at 3l and the work-feeder structure at the back of the machine is indicated generally at 38. Each feeder structure consists of a horizontally disposed oblong carrier 39 formed in proximity to each end with an opening Il@ indicated in dotted lines in Figures 2, 7, and 8. Secured to the lower face of the carrier and flush with the ends of the latter as well as depending therefrom are spaced parallel blocks 4I constituting a pair of combined guides and supports. Verse center is formed with an opening 42. The blocks il of the structure 3l align with the blocks of the structure 38. Secured to the carrier 39 is a pair of vertically extending, oppositely disposed skeleton-shaped combined guide and work directing elements 43 of like form. Each of said elements 43 includes a vertically disposed member 44 of strap-like form having an out curved upper end d5, an outer vertically disposed member 4S of strap-like form, an inner vertically disposed member Ll'l of strap-like form provided with an outwardly directed lower end terminal portion I8 (Figure 6) which is disposed at right angles to the remaining portion of member 4l and arranged below the bottom edge 49 of member d5. The member 44 is disposed at right angles to the members 55, il. The members 56, 4l are arranged in opposed parallel spaced relation and are, further, spaced inwardly from the member lid. The lower portions of the members 44, :t5 and il are welded or otherwise secured to a horizontally disposed yoke 5D. The base 5I of the latter is positioned against the outer face of the member M. The arm 52 of yoke 5I) is arranged against the outer face of the member 46. The arm 53 of the yoke 55 is positioned against the rear face of the member lil. Secured against the outer face of arm 52 of yoke 5D is a coupler 54 formed with a vertical leg 55 and a horizontal leg 5G. The latter extends outwardly at right angles to the bottom of the leg 55. The leg 55 is formed with a pair of spaced slots 51 disposed lengthwise thereof. The arm 53 of the yoke 50 of one element 43 of the pair is connected to the arm 53 of the yoke 5B of the other element 43 of the pair by an elongated bar 58 disposed on the lower lengthwise edge thereof. The upper ends of the members 46, 41 are curved outwardly in opposite directions as indicated 59, 60. The members 44, 46 and 41 have abutting against their outer faces in proximity to their upper ends a yoke 6| which is anchored to the said members by the holdfast means 62.

The member 44 of each element 43 has its outer lengthwise edge positioned against the inner face of the carrier 39 adjacent one end of the latter. The member 46 of each element 43 has its outer face positioned against the inner side of the carrier 4D. The couplers 64 of the element 43 have their legs 56 positioned upon the top face of the carrier 39 adjacent the ends of the latter. The members 41 of the elements 43 depend below the carrier 39. The legs 56 of the couplers 65 of the elements 43 are secured to the carrier 39 by the `holdfast means 63 which detachably engage in the carrier 39. The holdfast means 63 in connection with the slots 51 in the legs 56 provide for the adjusting of one of the elements 43 towards and from the other. It will be stated that one of the elements 43 may be permanently xed to the carrier 39 and the other element i3 may be adjustably connected to the carrier 39. The work to be operated upon will be of strip-like form and is mounted in superimposed relation in the pair of elements 43 in a manner as indicated by the dotted lines showing 64 (Figure 1). The curved upper ends of the members 44, 46 and 41 of the elements i3 facilitate the entrance of the work into a work-feeder structure. The lower end terminal portions 48 of the members 41 of a pair of elements 43 are arranged in parallel spaced alignment and such portions 48 constitute supports for the completed work, indicated at A and in this connection attention is directed to Figures '7 and 8. The incomplete work, next above the completed work A is indicated at B. Adjustably secured to the bar 58 and depending therefrom are L-shaped members 65 functioning for the same purpose as the angle-shaped lower end terminal portions 48 of the members 41 of a pair of elements 43.

The machine includes a pair of suspension bars 66 which are common to the work feeder structures 31, 38. The bars are disposed transversely of the channel members 8, 9 and extend forwardly with respect to the front and rearwardly with respect to the back of the machine. The bars 86 are anchored to the inner edges of the channel members 8, 9 as at 61 and to the outer edges of the channel members 8, 9 at 68. The anchoring means 68 are spaced from the anchoring means 61. The anchoring means 68 constitute abutments and are flush with the outer side edges of the channel members 8, 9. The bars 66 extend through the openings 42 in the blocks 4| of the structures 31, 38 and normally have their outer end terminal portions extended beyond the work-feeder structures. Interposed between the several anchoring means 68 and the rear edges of the several blocks 4| and encompassing the bars 66 are controlling springs 69 normally functioning to maintain the workfeeder structures 31, 38 in outwardly extended relation with respect to the boring tools 34, 35.

The work-feeder structures 31, 38 are shifted in a direction to position the work to be acted upon and against the action of the springs 69 by similar actuatable shifting mechanisms 16, 1| respectively arranged in pairs. Each of said shifting mechanisms includes an upstanding lever arm 12 pivotally connected intermediate its ends as at 13 to a bracket 14 connected to a fixed hanger 15 (Figures 1 and 4). The upper end of the lever 12 is provided with an eye 16 into which extends the angle-shaped inner end 11 of a threaded pull member 18 extending through an opening 40 in a carrier and adjustably connected to the latter by the nuts 19. The pull members 18 are spaced outwardly with respect to the elements 43 of the structure 31, 38. The `levers 12 of the shifting mechanisms 19, 1| move in arearward direction together and in a forward direction together. When the levers 12 of the mechanisms 19 move rearwardly and the levers 12 of mechanisms 1| are moved forwardly, that is to say, the upper ends of said levers, the work-feeder structures 31, 3S are pulled in a direction to position the work to be acted upon, and when the upper ends of the levers 12 of the mechanism 19 are moved forwardly and the upper ends of the levers` 12 of mechanism 1| moved rearwardly, the work-feeder structures are shifted in a direction away from the boring tools and which action is assisted by the controlling springs 69 which are associated with the carriers of the work-feeder structures.

An actuating mechanism (see Fig. 4) is pro` vided for the shifting mechanism 19 and said actuating mechanism consists of a pair of actuating bars 89 which are adjustably connected at their outer ends, as at 8| to the lower ends of the levers 12 of the mechanism 19. The levers 12 of the mechanism 19 are simultaneously operated by the bars 89 in like directions. The bars 88 at their inner ends are provided with rollers 82. The bars 88 have their inner terminal portions suspended by upstanding Suspenders 83 which are pivotally connected at their upper ends, as at 84 to lugs 85 carried by the inner side |9 of the channel iron 8. The lower ends of the sus penders 83 are pivotally connected as at 86 to the bars 80.

An actuating mechanism is provided for the shifting mechanism 1| and such actuating mechanism consists of a pair of actuating bars 81 which are adjustably connected at their outer ends, as at 88 to the lower ends of the levers 12 of the mechanism 1|. The levers 12 of the mechanism 1| are simultaneously operated by the bars 81 in like directions. The bars 81 at their inner ends are provided with rollers 89. The bars 81 have their inner end terminal portions suspended by upstanding Suspenders 99 which are pivotally connected at their upper ends, as at 9| to lugs 92 carried by the inner side of .channel iron 9. The lower ends of the Suspenders 9D are pivotally connected as at 93 to the bars 81.

The actuating mechanisms for the shifting mechanisms 10, 1| are operated from a pair of cams 94 mounted in spaced relation on a cam shaft 95. Cams 94 are of like contour. The cams 94 are arranged between the rollers 82 of the said actuating mechanisms. The cams 94 are so shaped that when acting on the rollers 82, 89 they will move the actuating bars 88 in a forward direction when the bars 81 are moved in like direction, or in other words cams 94 provide for alternately shifting the bars 89 forwardly and the bars 81 rearwardly, under such conditions providing for the alternate shifting of the work-feeder structures in opposite directions. Cam shaft 95 is provided with a worm gear 96 driven from a worm 91 iixed to a rotatable shaft 98 carrying a pulley 99 operated from an endless belt |08 driveirfrom a prime Vrnove'r not shown, and mounted in bearing means indicated at IUI.

There is associated with each work-feeder structure a pair of resilient work retainers acting to maintain the work stationary as the latter is being moved to be acted upon and when acted upon. The retainers which are associated with the work-feeder structure 3l are indicated at |02 and are arranged in spaced relation. The retainers which areA associated with the work-feeder structure 33 are indicated at |33. The work retainers are of like form and each consists of an upstanding resilient strap |04 formed with a rearwardlydirected part |55 merging into an outwardly directed tapered part |33 for bearing against the work to be acted upon as the work is fed to the tool (Figure 7).

There is associated with each work-feeder structure a pair of completed work dischargers. The dischargers which are associated with the work-feeder structure 37 are indicated at Il. The pair of completed work dischargers which are associated with the work-feeder structure 33 are indicated at |38. Each of the completed work dischargers is of the same construction and consists of an upstanding tapered arm |09 formed at its upper end with a laterally extended and outwardly directed nose H3 (Figure 8) providing an abutment for the completed work and acting to discharge the completed work from a workfeeder as the latter moves in the direction to position a piece of work to be acted upon.

There is common to the retainers |52 and dischargers a tensioned supporting means I|| therefor. There is common to the retainers |03 and the dischargers |38 a tensioned supporting means H2 therefor. The tensioned supporting means IH, H2 are of like form and each consists of a pair of bearing brackets H3, a shaft H4 mounted in the brackets H3, spaced keys H5 on shaft I I4, a spring controlled crank arm i6 having a hub H7 fixed to shaft Hli in proximity to one of the brackets H3 and a laterally disposed apertured ear H8 to which is connected a xed bolt H9 carrying an adjustable tensioning spring |20 which is interposed between the ear HS and member I. Each discharger ll has a hub |2I. The latter is keyed on shaft H as well as being held stationary on the shaft by a binding screw |22. The shaft H4 has keyed thereon a pair of spaced blocks |23 and each of which is fixed to shaft H4 by a binding screw |24. The outer face of each block is anchored as at |25 to the lower end |25 of a retainer. Each shaft H4 will carry a pair of retainers and a pair of dischargers. The retainers will be arranged in spaced relation on the shaft I4 and between and in spaced relation to the pair of dischargers xed to the shaft H4.

The brackets H3 of the tensioned supporting means for the retainers and dischargers which associate with the work-feeder structure 31 are secured to the front of the legs 3 of the members I, 2. The brackets H3 of the tensioned supporting means H2 for the retainers and dischargers which associate with the work-feeder structure 38 are anchored to the legs 4 of the members I, 2. The bolt I I9 of the tensioned supporting means HI is secured to the leg 3 of the member I. The bolt H9 of the tensioned supporting means H2 is secured to the leg of the member I. Y

There is associated with the work-feeder structure 31 a pair of spaced work truing devices and with the work-feeder structure 38 a pair of spaced work truing devices. The said work truing devices are of the same form and are adjustable and the description of one will apply .to the other. The work truing devices which are associated with the work-feeder structure 3l are secured to the outer side of the channel member 8 and extend outwardly therefrom. The work truing devices which are associated with the workfeeder structure 38 are secured to the outer side of the channel member 9 and extend outwardly therefrom. The form of each of the work truing devices is more clearly shown in Figures 10, 11, and 12,. Each of the work truing devices is indicated at |27 and consists of a rear horizontally disposed angle-shaped member |28 formed with a depending flange |23 which is secured to a channel member by the holdfast means |30. An angle-shaped member I3I is seated on the member |28 and has its flange |32 oppositely disposed with respect to the flange |29. Flanges |23 and |32 extend vertically. The member |3| has a slot |33. Member |3| is connected to the member |28 by the holdfast means |34. The means |34 in connection with the slot |33 provides for the adjusting of the member I3| relative to member |28. Abutting against the ange |32 is a vertically disposed work truing member |35 formed with a vertical stretch |33, a horizontally disposed stretch |31 and a stretch |38 which depends from the outer end of the stretch |37 and is disposed in parallel spaced relation to the stretch |36. The latter is of greater length than the stretch |38. The point of mergence of the stretch |31 with stretch |33 is rounded or beveled as indicated at |39. vides a seat |133 for the piece of work to be acted upon.

The stretch |36 has a slot Ilil. The stretch |33 is connected to the flange |32 by the holdfast means |32 which extends through the slot |41. The latter in connection with the holdfast means |42 provides for the vertically adjusting of the member |35 relative to the flange |32. The device |21 functions to elevate the work to be acted upon for truing the latter as it is being moved in the direction to be acted upon. The rounded point of mergence between stretches |3 and |38 facilitates the elevating of the work when truing the same. The truing devices are stationary and when positioned the stretches |38 thereof also act to assist in the discharging of the completed work.

A strap or bar which has been acted upon is indicated at |33 (Figure 14).

The elements 43 of each work-feeder structure in connection with `their connecting bar 58 and the member 65 provide a magazine in which the work, i. e. slats, rails or stiles are supported therein in superimposed stack-relation as the Work-feeder structure moves towards and from a set of boring tools. 'Ihe magazine has its lower portion of its front open.

The work in the magazine moves to a position to be subsequently acted upon by gravity after a completed piece of work A has been discharged therefrom. The Work to be acted upon is that piece B which is supported upon a completed piece A at the bottom of the stack. As the piece B to be acted upon is moved towards the set of boring tools, the completed piece A is automatically discharged, but during the discharge the truing devices act to support the next piece B which is to be acted upon and after completion of the said next piece, it is supported by the truing devices until the Work-feeder structure clears The top of stretch |31 prothe truing devices which permits the said next completed piece of work A to fall by gravity to the bottom of the magazine thereby providing for another piece of work B to move downwardly to a position to be acted upon. As` the workfeeder structure 31 moves towards a set of boring tools to complete a piece of work B and a completed piece of work A is discharged from its magazine, the work-feeder structure 38 moves .away from a set of boring tools to provide for a completed piece of work A to fall to the bottom of its magazine and a non-completed piece of work B to be arranged in superimposed relation with the said completed piece of work A, whereby when structure 38 moves towards the set of boring tools, the action upon the two pieces of work will be the same as that referred to in connection with the structure 31 when the latter moves towards a set of boring tools.

The work to be acted upon is manually supplied, at the upper ends of the elements 43, of each work-feeder structure as the stacks of work carried by said structures lower due to the discharge of the completed pieces of work from the magazines.

With reference to Figures 15 and 16, a modified form of work truing device is indicated at |44. The work truing devices |21 as heretofore referred to are secured to the channel members 8, 9, whereas the devices |44 are keyed to and adjustable lengthwise of the shaft ||4. Preferably a pair of truing devices |44 will be mounted on a shaft 114. Each device |44 will consist of an f arm |45 formed at its lower end with a collar or hub E46 which is slidably keyed on shaft I4. The hub |46 carries a binding screw |41 for securing arm |45 in its adjusted position on shaft I4. 'Ihe arm |45 has a laterally extended offset upper terminal portion |48 formed with an opening |49. Positioned against one side face of portion |48 is a rectangular plate constituting a seat forming member |50 formed in proximity to and parallel with one of its lengthwise edges a slot |5| which is intersected between its transverse median and its inner end by the vertical median of said member. The latter is hori- Zontally and vertically adjustable relative to the offset portion |48 of arm |45. The member |50 is xedly secured in its adjusted position by a bolt |52 which extends through opening |49 and slot |5| and carries a clamping nut |53.

The slot |5| is arranged in the member |56 at the position shown to provide for greater range of adjustment by reversing the member |5|) or turning the bottom edge up. The member |55 as before stated is of rectangular contour, has rounded corners and is faced on all four edges So that either one of these latter may be placed up to serve as the seat for the work to be acted upon. The device |44 preferably is to be arranged on shaft ||4 between a work discharger and a work retainer. So far as functioning is concerned, the truing device |44 functions the same as the truing device |21, with the additional advantages of being placed at any point along the work to be trued, either at the end or near the center of the work, and further that it may be pushed out of the way without any damage in case the work becomes jammed against it.

With respect to the operation of the machine, it will be said the work-feeder structures 31, 3S alternately shift in opposite directions, that is to say, when one work-feeder structure moves towards one gang of boring tools, the other workfeeder structure moves away from the other gang of boring tools. The action of the machine upon the work carried by the feeder structure 31 will be described, as such description will apply to the work carried by the other feeder structure 38.

The work is arranged in superimposed relation in a stack-like manner within the work-feeder structure. A completed piece of work A is discharged from the bottom of the feeder structure 31 which lowers the stack and another piece of work B is then mounted on the top of the stack. The completed piece of work A is at the bottom of the stack and it is discharged while the incomplet-ed piece of work B next above the cornpleted piece of work A moves downward and is supported by the supports 55 in a position to be operated on by the tools of a gang.

t will be assumed that a piece of work has been acted upon and thatit is the lowermost piece of work A of the stack in the feeder structure 31 and that the latter is in its outermost position, such as shown in Figure '7. The two lowermost pieces of work A, B of the stack apn pearing as shown in Figures '7, S, l0, ll, and 13. As the work-feeder structure 31 moves inwardly, it disposes the next to the lowermost piece A of the stack in a position to be acted upon by the boring tools of the gang. As the work-feeder structure 31 moves inwardly, the lowermost piece of work A will abut the dischargers |51 and on continual inward movement of the feeder struc- Y ture 31, the discharger |91 will provide for the completed piece of work A at the bottom of the stack to be discharged from the work-feeder structure 31. However, the discharge of the completed work A will not take place until the piece of work B which is to be operated on is trued and supported by the truing devices |21 or |44. As the work-feeder structure 31 moves inwardly before the completed work A is discharged, the completed piece of work A and the piece of work B to be operated on come in contact with the truing devices |21 or |44 whereby the work B to be acted on is trued by and supported upon the truing devices which in turn support the pieces of work arranged thereover within the work-feeder structure 31. When the piece of work B which is to be operated upon is supported by the truing devices |21 or |44, it is arranged in the work-feeder structure 31. The latter moves a sufcient distance inwardly to provide for a gang of boring tools acting on the piece of workB supported by the truing devices |21 or |44. When the work-feeder structure 31 moves inwardly to have the next to the lowermost piece of work B of the stack to be acted upon, the said piece f work B abuts the resilient elements |02 whereby such piece of work B will be held stationary in the work-feeder structure 31, as it is being acted upon. When the piece of work B to be acted upon is supported by the truingI devices |21 or |44, the completed piece of work A is discharged whereby` that portion of the work-feeder structure 31 below the piece of work being acted upon is vacant and with the work to be acted upon being arranged within the feeder structure 31 and supported by the truing devices |21 or |44. As the work-feeder structure 31 moves outwardly, the completed piece of work A which is on the truing devices |21 or |44 is carried oif of or clears the truing devices |21 or |44 at which time the stack in the work-feeder structure S1 will lower therein making the completed piece of work A the lowermost piece of the stack and arranging the next upper piece of work B in position to be acted upon.

' boring tools, means arranged in the path of said ed work-feeder What I claim isz- 1. In a gang-boring machine, a slidably mounted work-feeder structure having means for slidably supporting the work to be acted upon in superimposed stack-like relation, means for shifting said structure in an inward direction to dispose the next to the lowermost' piece of work of the stack in a position to be acted upon by boring tools, means arranged in the path of said structure, when the latter moves inwardly for discharging the lowermost piece of work from said structure to provide for the other piece of work, after being acted upon, to constitute the bottom piece of work of the stack when said structure is moved outwardly, means arranged in the path of said structure, when the latter moves inwardly for truing the said piece of work tobe acted upon and constituting a support for the latter during the discharge of the said lowermost piece of work, and said means for shifting said structure inwardly providing for the shifting of said structure outwardly on the completion of the said other piece of work.

2. In a gang-boring machine, a slidably mounted work-feeder structure having means for slidably supporting the work to be acted upon in superimposed stack-like relation, means for shifting said structure in an inward direction to dispose the neXt to the lowermost piece of work of the stack in a position to be acted upon by structure, when the latter moves inwardly for discharging the lowermost piece of work from said structure to provide for the other piece of work, after being acted upon, to constitute the bottom piece of work of the stack when said structure is moved outwardly, means arranged in the path of said structure, when the latter moves inwardly for truing the said piece of work to be acted upon and constituting a support for the latter during the discharge of the said lowermost piece of work, said means for shifting said structure inwardly providing for the shifting of said structure outwardly on the completion of the said other piece of work, and resilient means arranged in the path of said structure, when the latter moves inwardly for retaining the said other piece of work stationary while the latter is being acted upon.

3. In a gang-boring machine, a slidably mountstructure having means for slidably supporting the work to be acted upon in superimposed stack-like relation, means for shifting said structure in an inward direction to dispose, the next to the lowermost piece of work of the stack, in a position to be acted upon by boring tools, a pair of upstanding completed work dischargers arranged in the path of said structure, when the latter moves inwardly for discharging the lowermost piece of work from said structure to provide for the said other piece of work, after being acted upon, to constitute the bottom piece of structure is moved outwardly, spaced truing devices arranged in the path of said structure, when the latter moves inwardly for truing the said piece of workto be acted upon and providing supports for the latter during the discharge of the said lowermost piece of work, said means for shifting said structure inwardly providing for the shifting of said structure outwardly on the completion of the said other piece of work, and upstanding spaced resilient retainers arranged in the path of said structure, when the latter moves inwardly for retaining the said other piece of work of the stack when said work stationary while the latter is being acted upon.

4. In a gang-boring machine, a slidably mounted work-feeder structure having means for slidably supporting the work to be acted upon in superimposed stack-like relation, means for shifting said structure in an inward direction to dispose, the next to the lowermost piece of work of the stack, in a position to be acted upon by boring tools, a pair of upstanding completed work dischargers arranged in the path of said structure, when the latter moves inwardly for discharging the lowermost piece of work from said structure to provide for the said other piece of work, after being acted upon, to` constitute the bottom piece of work of the stack when said structure is moved outwardly, spaced truing devices arranged in the path of said structure, when the latter moves inwardly for truing the said piece of work to be acted upon and providing supports for the latter during the discharge of the said lowermost piece of work, said means for shifting said structure inwardly providing for the shifting of said structure outwardly on the completion of the said other piece of work, upstanding spaced resilient retainers arranged in the path of said structure, when the latter moves inwardly for retaining the said other piece of work stationary while the latter is being acted upon, and a tensioned support common to said dischargers, devices and retainers.

5. In a gang-boring machine, a slidably mounted spring controlled work-feeder structure having an upstanding skeleton magazine for slidably supporting the work to be acted upon in superimposed stack-like relation, said magazine being open at the lower portion of its front, means for shifting said structure in an inward direction to dispose, the next to the lowermost piece of work of the stack, in a position to be acted upon by boring tools, a plurality of upstanding completed work dischargers arranged in the path of said structure, when the latter moves inwardly, for discharging the lowermost piece of work from the lower portion of said magazine in an outward direction to provide for the said other piece of work, after being acted upon, to constitute the bottom piece of work of the stack when said structure moves outwardly, said means for shifting said structure inwardly providing for the shifting of said structure outwardly on the completion of the said other piece of work, combined truing and supporting devices for the piece of work to be acted upon arranged in the inward path of said structure, a plurality of resilient retainers for the piece of work to be acted upon arranged in the inward path of said structure, and a tensioned supporting means common to said dischargers, devices and retainers.

6. In a gang-boring machine, an oppositely horizontally shiftable slidably supported workfeeder and carrier structure having means for carrying pieces of work to be acted upon in superimposed relation and for successively positioning the pieces of work to be acted upon, a pair of vertically and horizontally adjustable combined work truing and supporting devices for the successively positioned pieces of work to be acted upon disposed within the paths of and free of connection to movement of said structure, and

means for alternately shifting said structurey ture for positioning work to be acted upon, upstanding completed Work dischargers active in the path of one direction of movement of said structure for abutting completed work to discharge it from the bottom of said structure on the horizontal movement of the latter in a direction to position another piece of Work to be acted upon, and means for horizontally shifting said structure alternately in opposite directions.

8. In a gang-boring machine, an oppositely shiftable Work-feeder structure for carrying Work to a position to be acted upon by boring tools and for carrying completed Work from said tools, means disposed in the path of movement of said structure for abutting completed Work to discharge it from said structure as the latter shifts in a direction to position Work to be acted upon, means for shifting said structure in opposite directions, Work retainers arranged in the path of movement of said structure for bearing on the work being acted upon as said structure shifts in a direction to position Work to be acted upon, and combined Work truing and supporting devices for the Work to be acted upon as said structure shifts in a direction to position Work to be acted upon.

9. In a gang-boring machine, an oppositely shiftable Work-feeder structure for carrying Work to be acted upon in superimposed relation and Work to be acted upon in superimposed relation with respect to completed Work, means n the path of said structure for discharging a prior completed piece of work from said structure to provide for a subsequent completed piece of work to assume the position of the discharged piece of Work, and means arranged in the path of said structure for truing and holding a piece of Work to be acted upon during the discharge of a completed piece of Work.

10. In a gang-boring machine, an oppositely shiftable Work-feeder structure for carrying Work to be acted upon in superimposed relation and Work to he` acted upon in superimposed relation with respect to completed work, means in the path of said structure for discharging a prior completed piece of Work from said structure to provide for a subsequent completed piece of Work to assume the position of the discharged piece of Work, means arranged in the path of said structure for retaining a piece of Work stationary while the latter is being acted upon, and means arranged in the path of said structure for truing and holding said piece of Work being acted upon during the discharge of a completed piece of Work.

ll. rlhe invention as set forth in claim 10 having combined therewith a tensioned support common to the completed work discharge means, the Work retaining means and the Work truing and holding means, said several means` being adjustably secured to said support.

OSE F. CARPENTER. 

